The Bucks recognize their 1 millionth customer to attend an event at Fiserv Forum since the arena opened in August on Wednesday. Here, Samantha Holschuh of St. Francis is greeted by Bucks President Peter Feigin, Bango and other members of the Bucks and arena team. She received a gift package for the honor.(Photo11: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Samantha Holschuh thought Wednesday night was going to be another night at Fiserv Forum, cheering the Milwaukee Bucks on as a member of the rowdy "Clutch Crew."

Things turned out a little better for the St. Francis woman, who was named the 1 millionth fan to attend an event at the arena.

It wasn't a purely random choice.

Bucks Chief Marketing Officer Dustin Godsey monitored a real-time ticketing app and as the count reached 3,000 about an hour before tipoff, he made his move for what was an educated guess at the fan who would be honored.

A guy with a Milwaukee Brewers jacket — nope. Same for the guy wearing a Packers sweatshirt.

And then came Holschuh and her boyfriend,Josh Marcus, decked out in Bucks gear. Godsey intercepted them, and guided the puzzled couple over to a gaggle of Bucks Dancers, cameras, Bango and the ever-enthusiastic Bucks President Peter Feigin.

Marcus was politely edged aside as the gaggle surrounded the clearly stunned Holschuh, who was being feted on a live public address system in the atrium and the huge video screen in the arena.

"With multiple entry points into the building, we randomly selected a fan that is the best approximation of 1 million," said Hilary Dickinson, manager of communications for the Bucks and Fiserv Forum.

The arena that opened in August has hosted all Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University Golden Eagles men's basketball games this season. The Bucks operate Fiserv Forum and have maintained an aggressive schedule booking concerts and other events.

Feigin congratulated Holschuh and said a few words about how much the Bucks appreciated the support of fans like her.

And then the swag came out. There was so much that it filled a cart. Playoff and concert tickets, Leinenkugel's beer, Jack Daniels, Sargento cheese and sausage and BMO and SURG restaurant group gift cards, and Palermo's pizza for a year.

Holschuh, 32, let out a huge laugh when asked if she was surprised by the attention.

"I'll say," she said. "I just wanted to get here early so I could get a free (fan giveaway) hat."

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The Bucks recognize their 1 millionth customer to attend an event at Fiserv Forum since the arena opened in August. Here, Samantha Holschuh of St. Francis is greeted by Bango and other members of the Bucks and arena team.(Photo11: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)